One thing that no Disney Guest enjoys is waiting in massive lines. At Walt Disney World, Guests can find themselves waiting in some insane lines, with some spanning over hours. This can clog up a lot of time for a Guest during their vacation, and leave them unable to ride another attraction. We recently discussed Tower of Terror having massive issues when it comes to waiting in lines, with average wait times ending up at 120 minutes or more.
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With this becoming the norm, one free way around these waits has often been single rider lines. If you are visiting Disney World alone, and you do not want to wait in line by yourself, or your party does not want to ride together, Guests can hop in the single rider line which tends to be much shorter than any other line. These lines are meant for single riders and place Guests with others who they will not know to help fill out spots on rides with odd-numbered parties. Not all attractions have a single rider line, however, and as we noted, it is not a guarantee that that line will be shorter. In my experience, it always has been, however.
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Rides like Expedition Everest at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Test Track at EPCOT do offer a single rider lane which is beneficial to those who would have to wait long lines on their own. One Guest who recently utilized the single rider queue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios seems to advise against the service. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is a popular attraction that can often see a rise in wait times, which makes the single rider queue an attractive option. However, one Guest noted that their experience left them waiting in line far longer than the typical standby queue. The Guest noted:
I had a terrible experience today. Do not make the same mistake I made by thinking the Singles line at Disneys Hollywood Studios Rock N Rollercoaster will be faster than the standby.
Standby line said 90 minutes, singles line time was not illuminated, I asked if it was open they said yes… but no further info. I waited 2 and a half hours in this line as a SINGLE today. The ride operators absolutly prioritize LL over everyone else. Singles are dirt. Watched as they went down the regular standby line picking out people who didn’t want to ride in the front, letting standby/ll choose thier seats; instead of just letting singles through. Also, had operators just barge through the singles line on multiple occasions (over 20 times easy) screaming at people to get out of the way.
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As we noted, it is never guaranteed that single rider lines will be shorter, however, to see a line end up taking over an hour longer than standby is quite shocking.
As the Guest noted, one way to ensure you have the shortest wait time possible is by purchasing Lightning Lane through Disney Genie+.
More on Lightning Lane at Disney World
Disney Genie+, the paid aspect of the system, allows Guests to use the Lightning Lane when their return time strikes — which has replaced the previously free FastPass lane. Then both theme park resorts have a la carte options where Guests must pay varying costs per ride, per person to ride the attraction. Disney Genie+ costs $15.00 per person per day for Disney World Guests and $20.00 per person per day at Disneyland. The cost for Disney Genie+ is slightly more expensive at Disneyland, and so are the a la carte options. Rise of the Resistance has hit costs of $20.00 per person per ride, which would essentially double the daily cost of Disney Genie+ if Guests wanted to Lightning Lane the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction, as well as use the paid system for other attractions.
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A la carte options tend to sell out the fastest, as there are only so many to give out, and everyone goes for them in the morning as they are not scattered like the other Disney Genie options, therefore, speed and internet connection do matter for trying to get a Lightning Lane on the following attractions at Walt Disney World.
Individual Lightning Lane Entrances
Attractions include*:
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrances
Experiences include*:
Alien Swirling Saucers
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
Disney Junior Play & Dance!
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Muppet*Vision 3D
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
See Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
Toy Story Mania!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
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Individual Lightning Lane Entrances
Attractions include*:
Avatar Flight of Passage
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrances
Attractions include*:
Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King
DINOSAUR
Feathered Friends in Flight!
It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
Kali River Rapids
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Naʻvi River Journey
The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
Please note that the story outlined in this article is based on a personal Disney Parks Guest experience. No two Guest experiences are alike and this article does not necessarily align with Inside the Magic’s personal views on Disney Parks operations.
What do you think of single rider lines? Let us know in the comments below.
Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Disneyland Resort, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney District. Or what about Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!
While you are at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can enjoy Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith on Sunset Boulevard. By the Chinese Theater, Guests prepare to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. In Toy Story Land, Slinky Dog Dash always boasts a long line with others shooting their shot on Midway Mania or spinning their brains out on Alien Swirling Saucers. Of course, you have to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for some blue milk, or green milk, and ride Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run!
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